Skilled Trades Developmental Instructor (Sheet Metal/Piping)

EmployHQ; Elon (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

EmployHQ is seeking an experienced Training Instructor to deliver onboarding and ongoing skills training for field and fabrication shop teams in plumbing, pipefitting, and sheet metal across multiple sites in North Carolina. You will coach hands-on skills, reinforce safety and quality standards, and collaborate with the Talent Development Partner to align programs with operations.

A strong communicator with leadership abilities will develop lesson plans, track progress, and provide feedback.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years in plumbing, pipefitting, and sheet metal trade work, or equivalent as a trade instructor

Responsibilities

• Deliver onboarding and hands-on training for new hires across plumbing, pipefitting, and sheet metal trades, establishing foundational trade skills, safety practices, and standards from day one.
• Develop and deliver ongoing training for field and fabrication shop employees to reinforce installation and fabrication practices, introduce new techniques, and close skill gaps.
• Conduct regular job site visits to observe work in progress and coach employees on hard skills in real time with hands-on correction.
• Serve as SME across plumbing, pipefitting, and sheet metal to keep content current with industry trends and codes.
• Create and update training materials, lesson plans, and skill assessments reflecting evolving needs.
• Evaluate trainee performance via hands-on assessments and field observations, providing constructive feedback.

Skills

Trade instruction

Coaching in the field

Leadership

Organization

Travel readiness

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

This role would support the organization’s workforce development by delivering new hire training and ongoing skills training for field and fabrication shop employees across plumbing, pipefitting, and sheet metal trades. This role provides hands‑on coaching at active jobsites, reinforces safety and quality standards in real time, and partners closely with the Talent Development Partner to ensure training programs align with operational needs. Strong communication, organization, and leadership skills are essential for supporting employee growth and consistency across the field and shop.

Key Responsibilities

• Deliver structured onboarding and hands‑on skills training for new hires across plumbing, pipefitting, and sheet metal trades, establishing foundational trade skills, safety practices, and standards from day one.
• Develop and deliver ongoing training for field and fabrication shop employees to reinforce plumbing, pipefitting, and sheet metal installation and fabrication practices, introduce new techniques, and close identified skill gaps.
• Conduct regular job site visits to observe work in progress and coach employees on hard skills in real time, providing hands‑on correction, guidance, and reinforcement of proper technique.
• Serve as the subject matter expert across plumbing, pipefitting, and sheet metal practices, staying current on industry trends, codes, materials, and best practices to keep training content relevant and accurate.
• Create and update training materials, lesson plans, and skill assessments that reflect standards and evolving field and shop needs.
• Evaluate trainee performance through hands‑on assessments and field observation, providing constructive feedback to support skill development and readiness for independent field work.
• Build strong working relationships with field and shop employees, acting as a mentor and resource to support long-term trade development and career growth.
• Provide weekly reports to the Talent Development Partner summarizing training activities, attendance, and progress across new hire and continuing training programs.
• Track and report on the status of ongoing training classes, including completion rates, scheduling, and upcoming training needs.
• Communicate effectively with field leadership, fabrication shop leadership, and the Talent Development Partner to align training priorities with project and shop needs.
• Reinforce safety standards and practices during all training and coaching interactions, ensuring trainees understand and apply safe work practices in the field and shop.

Qualifications

• 5-10 years of experience in plumbing, pipefitting, and sheet metal trade work, or equivalent experience as a trade instructor at the high school or college level.
• Experience across multiple trades is strongly preferred.
• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) preferred, not required.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; comfortable coaching individuals and small groups, and providing direct feedback in the field.
• Highly organized, with the ability to manage multiple training programs, schedules, and reporting requirements simultaneously.
• Demonstrated leadership and teaching ability, with a genuine interest in developing others.
• Ability to travel regularly and extensively across the organization’s regions to support jobsite visits and training delivery; current driver's license required.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and standard reporting tools for training documentation.
• Strong working knowledge of safety standards and practices across plumbing, pipefitting, and sheet metal trades.